Classics Department

Introduction

King’s School, Bruton has had a long-standing tradition of teaching Classics, ever since its early days as a “grammar school”, when the “grammar” meant was undoubtedly Latin and Greek.

The school was founded to produce “perfecte Latyn men”, and that aspiration is true today, though now changed better to accord with our co-educational status.

Our aim is to allow as many students as possible to gain knowledge, understanding and an appreciation of the language, literature, history, art and culture of the classical (Greek and Roman) world.

Although most students will study the Classics for a limited part of their school career at King’s, we try to make sure that they gain some permanent benefit in knowledge and learning skills from their classical studies,  following one, three, four or five years of teaching.

The benefits of learning a difficult language and the joys of reading and re-reading some of the world’s finest literature and drama constitute some of those vital transferable skills which universities are seeking  in their potential undergraduates. By learning to discuss and evaluate evidence, to appreciate works of art and to focus upon literary, philosophical or dramatic ideas, our Sixth Formers  are successfully stretched and challenged in  extending their skills of communication and critical understanding.

An accelerated learning programme to cover GCSE Latin Short Course by the end of Year 10 and the complete course in year 11, allows nine other GCSE subjects still to be taken, which gives our high achievers a competitive edge.

For those in the Third Form whose language skills are less well-honed, the department teaches beginners’ Greek and a warmly appreciated re-engagement with the world of Greek myth, monsters, Spartan heroes, Roman gladiators, charioteers and the tragic end of Pompeii. 

M F Parr
Head of Classics